Tichenor describes the postwar situation for the freed slaves from a paternalistic viewpoint: "Four millions of human beings, under the influence of a misguided philanthropy, have been rendered destitute of homes, protection, and comfort, and have...

The passages describe the lives and contributions of three freedmen of the Rapier family. John H. Rapier, Jr., was a physician at the Freedmen's Hospital in Washington, D.C. John H. Rapier, Sr., a barber in Florence, Alabama, served as a voter...

The passage includes excerpts from federal legislation dealing with the Freedmen's Bureau. "Rules and Regulations for Assistant Commissioners" stresses that "the officer should never forget that no substitute for slavery, like apprenticeship...

McCondichie will furnish the land, stock, and half the necessary feed and supplies; he will advance the family provisions and the rest of the supplies, to be repaid at the end of the year: "We [the Moores] further agree to give the party of the...

McCann, a former slave, describes the following aspects of slavery as he experienced them in Hale County, Alabama: dwellings and possessions; clothing and food; occupations and typical workdays; money earned by slaves for their own use; family...

Mary S. Pond taught freed slaves in Selma, Alabama, possibly as a teacher with the American Missionary Association. In this letter to her friend she comments on her loneliness; her low salary and difficult teaching situation; and her general...

Lewis's father (also Cudjo) was the last surviving ex-slave from "Clotilda, " the last known ship to bring slaves to the United States; the ship landed in Mobile, Alabama, in 1860. The packet includes a statement of sentence, letters from other...

In this message to the United States House of Representatives, President Ulysses S. Grant presents a statement he received from a group of African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama, who had assembled to discuss the "grave and menacing dangers that...

In the letter the men explain that "the white people of this city & county feel that they have no fair showing" in the upcoming election. They ask Hatchell to consider removing William Hurter from his post as chief registrar in the city because of...

In the letter the men discuss the murder of a freedman, who had been appointed a registrar in the county. They have been unable to find the young man who shot him, and tension is building: "The excitement occasioned by the outrage of yesterday was...

In the letter Strudwick discusses family members and acquaintances; expresses remorse for encouraging some of his relatives to move to California; and complains about the improved status of African Americans (whom he refers to collectively as...

In the letter Smith reports that white planters in Chambers County have tried to interfere with the registration of African American voters there: "I heard of no open violations but am satisfied that parties have thrown every obsticle [sic] in the...

In the letter Seward explains that Congress is proposing a fifteenth amendment to the Constitution, which must be voted on by the state legislatures. He includes a certified copy of the resolution: "The right of citizens of the United States to...

In the letter Russell, an agent with the Freedmen's Bureau, informs Hall of a complaint from four of his contracted workers: "The 'Freedmen,' Frank Pfeaster, Abner, Ann, & Cicily have called my attention to the contract made between you & them last...

In the letter Hurter describes voter registration in Mobile: "We have registered all who have come forward without any delay. There has been a strong disposition on the part of the whites not to register but they are gradually overcoming that...

In the letter Hawkins describes a case involving a slave woman who was purchased by a freedman, and then reclaimed and sold several times. He asks Dellet to represent Napoleon and Massina Starke, who want to recover the woman.

In the letter Drisk explains that he has not been paid for his work because the county has not provided enough schools for African American children: "During four months of the past winter I taught in this city the children of freedmen having been...

In the first letter Dr. Cloud reprimands Whitfield because Tuscaloosa County has not provided enough schools for its African American children: "...you have reported 44 white schools, and only 2 colored, which is not in accordance with the school...

In the contract Tait rents a piece of his land in Wilcox County, Alabama, to Hill for a year: "...Hill is permitted to clear land & build houses, without expense to said Tait excepting nails & flooring." In exchange, Tait will receive one-fourth of...

From pages 123 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That the mulatto girl named Mileysertte alias Millescent, aged about seven years, daughter of...

From pages 123 and 124 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That the coloured girl Francoise Leones, daughter of a black woman named Francoise,...

From pages 122 and 123 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That Venus a black woman, and her two children, viz. Francis a mulatto boy, aged about...

From page 124 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That the black [man] named Ernest, the slave of the heirs of Augustine Colin, late of Mobile,...

From page 123 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That the coloured woman named Clarissa, aged about forty-six years, and the coloured girl named...

From page 122 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "Be it therefore enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the state of Alabama in General Assembly convened,...

From page 122 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That Carmelete [sic] a black woman, and her infant child, named Marian, aged about eighteen...

For their work the men and women are to receive clothing, rations, shelter, medical care, and one-tenth of the plantation's crop. The contract also discusses rules of conduct, adding that the workers cannot leave the plantation or entertain other...

For his work Wilson is to receive $6 each month ("payable in Green Backs") plus room and board. He will have the "privilege of raising chickens and a garden for his own use," but he will not be allowed to sell any poultry or produce. The contract...

During the Civil War, Badger enlisted as a nurse in the 6th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment, and he later became an assistant surgeon in Company D of the 34th New Jersey Volunteer Regiment. After the war, the 34th New Jersey Regiment served with...

Bocock will furnish the land and stock, and he will advance his employees provisions each week; the freedmen will pay for their own expenses and receive one-third of the all the crops. A provision at the end of the contract (which is in a different...

All the freedman are listed, with the amount of the wages due them. In the original contract Smith agreed to provide the laborers $60 ("for Negro men of first class"), two suits of clothes, and one acre planted in cotton; the freedmen agreed to pay...

Q13889 - Q13890

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